When approached by the Liverpool Echo, Shay Soni said: “We are saddened, we are very upset. We have tried everything for the last 48 hours, exploring every avenue we can, the Chairman of Liverpool FC, UEFA, directors of Kiev airport.

“We are puzzled as to why they refused to give us slots for these three aircrafts, but they will give permission for 65 private jets.

“As Peter Moore said, the airport is too small to hold such an event. The puzzle we have is we went to press thinking we can’t get these slots. Three minutes after I had a call from the mayor saying he would be trying to make slots.

“We have tried our best at reinstating the flights as best we can, we are still in the office, we are not walking away.

“We are refunding everyone, they’ll be starting to process tomorrow. The problem is we have to process new tickets for people travelling tomorrow morning, 600 people.

Vitali Klitschko is attempting to help the stranded Liverpool fans (Image: Copyright unknown)

“Everything was done by the book, the application was put in through the normal channels, Liverpool FC and the airport.

“As it stands, two flights will be going out, one from Manchester and one from Liverpool.

“We have not done anything wrong, we’ve been doing this for years. We did Istanbul, Athens, Basel.

“I’m so deeply saddened to have let down all these passengers. It breaks my heart to have to do this, especially as a Liverpool fan myself.

“Support from the club, including Peter Moore, and the mayor has been unbelievable, we’re very grateful.”